In response to feedback from the Cycle 1 evaluation and the pandemic, PB Durham Cycle 2 shifted its scope. A grant fund was established to support local efforts to strengthen the community's social and economic fabric by offering relief assistance to communities in Durham. Durham City Council approved $1 million for Durham connected nonprofit and community organizations that are directly serving those residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing issues contributing to racial, economic, and social inequities in Durham to apply for funding to support community rooted work. 

PB Durham was back with a whole new look and feel! During PB Cycle 1, over 10,000 Durham residents participated in PB Durham by submitting ideas, serving as budget delegates, and voting on community projects for "one-time" projects. In response to feedback from our Cycle 1 evaluation and based upon the pandemic and COVID-19, PB Durham Cycle 2 had a new scope.

PB Durham Cycle 2 formed a grant funding program to support local efforts by strengthening the community's social and economic fabric by offering COVID-19 relief assistance to communities in Durham. Durham City Council approved $1 million for Durham connected nonprofit and community organizations that are directly serving those residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing issues contributing to racial, economic, and social injustices in Durham. 

Each Durham-connected non-profit and/or community organization was eligible to receive up to $50,000 of grant funding to help respond to communities impacted by COVID-19 and any underlying issues that impacted underserved communities in Durham. The grants will be used to provide services or programming in communities that are most adversely impacted. 

Grant Focus Areas: 

The following focus areas were identified by the residents of Durham as the most important priorities during the pandemic. These focus areas will be used to prioritize the allocation of the $1 million grant program.

• Community Building + Economic Opportunities - “Increase community capacity through the investment of economic and social programming such as employment opportunities, food access and eviction prevention targeted at underserved groups” 
• Health and Human Services - “Provide COVID-19 emergency assistance to the most vulnerable populations in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus and increase access to mental health services to individuals impacted during the pandemic ”
• Children, Youth and Family Wellness - “Support the overall wellness of young and elderly people and their families”

Below was the schedule of activities for PB Durham Cycle 2.

• November 2020-January 2021 - Gathered feedback for priority areas- a community survey was conducted to determine the priority areas for funding.  
• February 17, 2021 - Grant application opened
• March 31, 2021 - Grant application closed
• April 2021 - Proposal development process - The internal staff committee and budget delegates reviewed and scored proposals based on impact, equity, feasibility, legality, and vetted overall project budgets. 
• May 5 - June 6, 2021 - Voting - City of Durham residents and students 13 years and older had the opportunity to vote on project proposals. 
• June 2021 - Grant recipients were announced - grant recipients will be announced and begin to draft contracts and coordinate dissemination of funds to appropriate departments and project sponsors. Funds would be made available beginning July 1, 2021.

For questions, please contact the PB Durham team.